Quantitative parameters of image quality in 64-slice computed tomography angiography of the coronary arteries

We explored quantitative parameters of image quality in consecutive patients undergoing 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) coronary angiography for clinical reasons. Forty-two patients (36 men, mean age 61 +/- 11 years, mean heart rate 63 +/- 10 bpm) underwent contrast-enhanced MDCT coronary angiography with a 64-slice scanner (Siemens Sensation 64, 64 mm x 0.6 mm collimation, 330 ms tube rotation, 850 mAs, 120 kV). Two independent observers measured the overall visualized vessel length and the length of the coronary arteries visualized without motion artifacts in curved multiplanar reformatted images. Contrast-to-noise ratio was measured in the proximal and distal segments of the coronary arteries. The mean length of visualized coronary arteries was: left main 12 +/- 6 mm, left anterior descending 149 +/- 25 mm, left circumflex 89 +/- 30 mm, and right coronary artery 161 +/- 38 mm. On average, 97 +/- 5% of the total visualized vessel length was depicted without motion artifacts (left main 100 +/- 0%, left anterior descending 97 +/- 6%, left circumflex 98 +/- 5%, and right coronary artery 95 +/- 6%). In 27 patients with a heart rate < or = 65 bpm, 98 +/- 4% of the overall visualized vessel length was imaged without motion artifacts, whereas 96+/-6% of the overall visualized vessel length was imaged without motion artifacts in 15 patients with a heart rate > 65 bpm (p < 0.001). The mean contrast-to-noise ratio in all measured coronary arteries was 14.6 +/- 4.7 (proximal coronary segments: range 15.1 +/- 4.4 to 16.1 +/- 5.0, distal coronary segments: range 11.4 +/- 4.2 to 15.9 +/- 4.9). In conclusion, 64-slice MDCT permits reliable visualization of the coronary arteries with minimal motion artifacts and high CNR in consecutive patients referred for non-invasive MDCT coronary angiography. Low heart rate is an important prerequisite for excellent image quality.